Topic: 2010 Toyota Yaris RS Hatch; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

Fresh from an event previewing Ford's upcoming subcompact Fiesta, James jumps into one of its key competitors, the Toyota Yaris. His tester is the top-line RS five-door model. Its looks promise fun, but we'll see if the car lives up to its appearance.
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[drederick]

2010 Toyota Yaris RS Hatch
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): ***cough cough cough*** $20,555

At 20,555 plus destination this is a STEAL! Considering it is one of the few Toyota's that to the best of my artic knowledge wasn't involved in a safety recall! Maybe Toyota should therefore charge Lexus money for it?

Lets see as it is a Toyota, the official Can gov says it'll do Automatic: 7.0 (40) / 5.7 (50) / 6.4 (44), I predict it will be easily better than that because it is a Toyota and they always get better than official numbers.

I am going to say an average of 3.1 l/100 kms.

[Black Hatch]

Which is worse?
The digital speedometer or the centre-mounted speedo/instrument cluster?

[ArticSteve]

One magnificent motor vehicle!   

[vdk]

You guys crack me up. Who would spend 20 grand on this car? I'm sorry but for 20gs you can get a proper car not a penalty box.

[rrocket]

Which is worse?
The digital speedometer or the centre-mounted speedo/instrument cluster?

I love my center mounted speedo.  Makes alot of sense IMO.  FWIW, the engine in these are tough as nails...and as you can see, my fuel economy has been stellar (same powertrain in the Echo)  But $20k?  That's nuts, and waaaay too much.

[Ontariodriver]

At 20,555 plus destination this is a STEAL!

Really for a little pop pop with a silly dash. Seems a lot to me. I rather a Fit/Jazz sport any-day of the week for $20,175. Should I want to burn my money on such a little cars that are seem so over priced. The Fit/Jazz is a Much better all rounded IMO. This Yaris design is getting on a bit too long in the tooth. 5 year old at least. It must be due for a replacement. It's going to look dated against the Fiesta and the Accent.

[johngenx]

The Yaris needs to be replaced, and fast.  This is a hot segment (outside the US) and a competitive sub-compact is required to get people into the brand.  The exterior is okay, but the interior is light years behind the newer cars.  That center mounted gauge cluster wasn't all that cool on day one, and today just looks like they cheaped-out so that they'd save money on RHD/LHD production.

[Jman99]

2010 Toyota Yaris RS Hatch
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $20,555

For this kind of money, you can get a Corolla LE for $20,425. Not sure what kind of pricing/model strategy Toyota has going, but it confuses me. 

[paul246]

Actually, that center mounted instrument cluster makes sense once you get used to it. Seems better to me to glance to center for information rather than peering down under the steering wheel of other cars. Since I sold my 2005 Echo HB to my daughter I miss that instrument pod.

[toolatecrew]

Two words:

FORD FIESTA

[sweetadad]

Two words:

FORD FIESTA

I agree...the Fiesta does seem like a lot more car for the same amount of money...love the features on the Fiesta.

[Dante]

Fiesta is actually cheaper than this since the SE has all the features if not more so you don't have to go up to the SES model ($20,195 w/Auto).

[Sival]

Come on people, it's normal that a fully-equipped subcompact is the same price or pricier than a basic model of a compact. Every automaker does it.

A Honda Fit Sport Automatic has a MSRP just under 20 000 $ and can run more than that if you opt for a lot of the optional stuff, for that price you can get a Civic DX-G automatic. For the price of a fully equipped Civic EX-L, you can have a basic Accord.

Same thing with all automakers, especially when you compare the subcompact to the compact class since they don't differ that much nowadays. The main differences tend to be that subcompacts tend to be hatchbacks, be a few inches shorter and have slightly smaller engines. A fully-equipped Aveo costs more than a decently equipped Cobalt, an Accent GLS costs as much as an Elantra GL, Ford advertises the Fiesta as the same price as a Focus, etc...

Toyota is no different from any automaker. In fact, if I had to make one objection to the present lineup of Toyota and how they relate to each other, I'd point out the size and similarities between the Yaris sedan and the Corolla and ask why people should pay thousands more for the Corolla.

[TagueVagn]

I never liked the styling from day one.  I'm not saying the Fit is better looking by a long shot, but I would take a Fit over the Yaris any day!  With the fiesta coming I think Ford might get a good share of this segment and give the imports something to worry about.

[hemusbull]

Ha ha ha! 20,555 is toooo much for this tiny bucket. Cargo volume is far from the leader in this class here in NA, the wisely done Honda Fit! Transmission is other obsolete piece of machinery. The dash cluster is disastrous! The side air bags are options. But if you want a reliable run-about with good fuel economy, you can make sacrifice!

[dutch]

2010 Toyota Yaris RS Hatch
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): ***cough cough cough*** $20,555

At 20,555 plus destination this is a STEAL! Considering it is one of the few Toyota's that to the best of my artic knowledge wasn't involved in a safety recall! Maybe Toyota should therefore charge Lexus money for it?

Lets see as it is a Toyota, the official Can gov says it'll do Automatic: 7.0 (40) / 5.7 (50) / 6.4 (44), I predict it will be easily better than that because it is a Toyota and they always get better than official numbers.

I am going to say an average of 3.1 l/100 kms.

!!!!

[Jman99]

Come on people, it's normal that a fully-equipped subcompact is the same price or pricier than a basic model of a compact. Every automaker does it.

Not trying to cause an argument, just stating the obvious. Also, the LE Corolla is very VERY well equipped compared to the loaded up Yaris which is why i just had to comment on the price point Toyota has for the Yaris.

Also you mentioned about the Honda Accord vs Civic in terms of price. Comparing a Loaded civic with leather to a base Accord isn't a very good comparison. Maybe comparing a base Accord to a Civic DX-G or Sport would be more suited on an equipment standpoint. Even said, the Civic DX-G would be $6000, Sport $4000 and the EXL $2000 less than a base LX Accord. It's a very delicate line the automakers need to tread in terms of pricing, and most of them needs to give their head a shake.

My apologies for getting off topic on the Yaris, but Honda's financing is simply insane for the Fit. The Fit, a model which they have aimed at the first time buyer, 3.9% is the current rate, while the Civic is 0.9%. If you price out a Civic Sport automatic and a Fit Sport automatic.. a Civic would be $452.86 and the Fit would be $468.65 going by current Honda financing.

[Jman99]

2010 Toyota Yaris RS Hatch
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): ***cough cough cough*** $20,555

At 20,555 plus destination this is a STEAL! Considering it is one of the few Toyota's that to the best of my artic knowledge wasn't involved in a safety recall! Maybe Toyota should therefore charge Lexus money for it?

Lets see as it is a Toyota, the official Can gov says it'll do Automatic: 7.0 (40) / 5.7 (50) / 6.4 (44), I predict it will be easily better than that because it is a Toyota and they always get better than official numbers.

I am going to say an average of 3.1 l/100 kms.

That is something a Toyota salesman would say...  A "Steal" at $20,555!!

Toyota definitely have the upper hand regarding financing compared to Honda. Too bad a global recall had to cause them to offer decent rates.. but i digress.

[wing]

It was sarcasm